Suspension advice please

For all your questions, problems and DIY stories
Post Reply
S17ewo
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 57
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 8:03 am
My E21(s): 323i

Suspension advice please

Post by S17ewo »

Hi all, after a manic 18 months including working away for 13 months and loosing my driving licence I get it back in January....I want to get my e21 nice and low before I do, what are my options? I'm pretty easy going as long as I get a decent drop.....suppliers and price comparisons would be great
Many thanks in advance
Stew


Microang
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 47
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 1:36 am
My E21(s): 1981 BMW 320/6 E21 Manual Sunroof

Re: Suspension advice please

Post by Microang »

If you're not going racing or anything and want it low and reasonably priced get a Spax PSX Kit, you have a choice of -40mm or -60mm for really low. The quality isn't too bad either. I've got the -40 myself plus you can adjust the stiffness.
S17ewo
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 57
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 8:03 am
My E21(s): 323i

Re: Suspension advice please

Post by S17ewo »

Sounds like a good shout to me, does anyone have any pics of one dropped 60....not sure it will be enough.....
Microang
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 47
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 1:36 am
My E21(s): 1981 BMW 320/6 E21 Manual Sunroof

Re: Suspension advice please

Post by Microang »

As far as I know off the shelf springs only go down to -60mm on the e21, the shocks are also made for lowered cars and therefore shorter which would help I guess if you wanted to "customise" the springs. Have a quick Google around, I'm sure you'll find some photos.
S17ewo
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 57
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 8:03 am
My E21(s): 323i

Re: Suspension advice please

Post by S17ewo »

I've had Abit of a look and it doesn't look all that low :-s so the question is do I go for gaz coillies or the spax 60mm and modify the springs!?
User avatar
nas80
E21 Mad
Posts: 2975
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:12 am
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: Suspension advice please

Post by nas80 »

chopping a coil off 60 mm springs is going to make it seem like everytime you hit a cats eye its like you hit an IED.

Id suggest that do it once do it right methodology should be deployed - get air ride.
[img]http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a285/nasbucket/forumsig.jpg[/img]
Reck
E21 Pro
Posts: 823
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:26 am
My E21(s): 83 316, 1.8 M10, RHD
Location: Manchester, UK

Re: Suspension advice please

Post by Reck »

I ran -60mm on a daily driver for two years. I was sick of it by the end tbh. I went through two exhausts too.

Air ride looks to be the best of both worlds but is bloody expensive...
User avatar
nas80
E21 Mad
Posts: 2975
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:12 am
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: Suspension advice please

Post by nas80 »

you can get air ride on interest free credit lol
[img]http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a285/nasbucket/forumsig.jpg[/img]
S17ewo
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 57
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 8:03 am
My E21(s): 323i

Re: Suspension advice please

Post by S17ewo »

Just had a quick look, turns out it's already running spax springs, on the front springs it says spax s00304 on the front spring, does anyone know what springs these are?

As for air ride nas, where can you get it on interest free credit!? In the uk???
User avatar
nas80
E21 Mad
Posts: 2975
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:12 am
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: Suspension advice please

Post by nas80 »

yeah man,

had a laugh at interest free suspension - but it actually exists

http://www.air-lift.co.uk/
[img]http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a285/nasbucket/forumsig.jpg[/img]
S17ewo
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 57
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 8:03 am
My E21(s): 323i

Re: Suspension advice please

Post by S17ewo »

Haha I can't actually believe that, has anyone spoke to these guys? Know how much a complete kit costs all in?
si.
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 102
Joined: Sat Oct 06, 2012 1:39 pm

Re: Suspension advice please

Post by si. »

Prakash's bag setup up cost him about £3k I think

I run the spax 60mm kit and it's great have only ever ground out on massive speed bumps but never when driving at any speed or anywhere
1989 325i touring - eventual track car project - maybe for sale
1973 2002 - joint resto with a mate
1982 316 - m20b25 shitty on the outside shiney on the inside
2005 330i - Clubsport individual
User avatar
nas80
E21 Mad
Posts: 2975
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 12:12 am
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: Suspension advice please

Post by nas80 »

I run Gaz coilovers they are pretty bad ass. But I'm more in it for performance
[img]http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a285/nasbucket/forumsig.jpg[/img]
User avatar
mcjjordan
E21 Fanatic
Posts: 227
Joined: Fri Jul 12, 2013 9:55 pm
My E21(s): Uk 1980 316 m52
Location: eastleigh/southampton in Hampshire , England
Contact:

Re: Suspension advice please

Post by mcjjordan »

I got 60mm spax on mine and it does alter the rear suspension geometry a bit. It did ground out exhaust so i cut the middle box out and its fine now
S17ewo
Upcoming E21 fanatic
Posts: 57
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 8:03 am
My E21(s): 323i

Re: Suspension advice please

Post by S17ewo »

Cheers for the comments guys, I think I'm gonna hold out and get some gaz coillies, I'm hoping the road set go low enough.
Unless I come into some Moët and go for air of couse ;-)

In other news I want a new front valance section for it, I'm guessing I can get these as a pattern plate.....can you get them with a deeper 'spoiler' along the bottom??
Post Reply